Prevalence and Progression of Acute Pancreatitis in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship Population

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a significant clinical problem. There have been no prospective epidemiological data on AP in Poland. The aim of this study is to estimate prevalence, etiology and severity of acute pancreatitis in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship population, involving risk factors of this disease.Material and methods. In 2011 prospective observation was conducted in all departments of surgery of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. The inclusion criterion of the study, a definite diagnosis of AP, was met in 1044 hospitalized patients. According to our assumption that repeated hospitalization is considered as a new case if occurred more than 60 days after the previous one, 1004 patients were included in the further analysis.Results. The incidence rate was 99.96/100,000. Incidence rate among woman was 72/100,000 and incidence among men was 130.24/100,000 (p < 0.05). Median age of AP patients was 53 years. Median age among woman (65 years) was significantly (p < 0.005) higher than among man (47 years). Incidence rate for the first episode was 79.7/100,000 citizens. Main causes of AP included cholelithiasis (30.1%), alcohol (24.1%), coexisting cholelithiasis and alcohol abuse (2.9%), pancreatic cancer (1%), AP after ERCP (0.7%). Basing on modified Atlanta criteria, severe AP was diagnosed in 7%, moderate in 12.3%, and mild in 80.7% of patients. Mean duration of hospitalization of patients with severe AP was 14.8, moderate - 16,7, mild - 7.1 days. Mortality rate for AP was 3.9%. Mean age of deceased women was 74 years and was significantly higher than in the group of men (61 years). Mortality rate in severe AP was 52.9% and was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than mortality in moderate (no deaths) or mild AP (0.2%).Conclusions. Incidence rate of AP in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship population is among the highest in Poland. Our study indicates that new Atlanta classification, that differentiates between moderate and severe AP, needs to be implemented to the clinical practice, since the latter carries high mortality in severe cases.

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